I am sure readers shared my pleasure in reading Krista Beighton's article which not only took a stand against the mindless "taggers" who have vandalised our City for many years but explored the possibility of helping identify and prosecute the offenders (The Argus, December 3).
One only needs to visit nearby towns relatively untouched by graffiti to appreciate the extent to which these squiggles create a slum-like appearance.
Incredibly, inhabitants of the most run-down areas in London suffer less from this problem than do many in Brighton.
Tragically, the article failed to address the very real distress of many homeowners caused by the scribbling on their homes, concerns which have been expressed in numerous letters you have published.
Readers will recall earlier this year, the City Centre Business Forum waged a reasonably successful campaign against the scribblers who were attacking business premises around Western Road.
But there have been no equivalent successes in the battle against the attacks on personal properties, especially the homes of elderly residents around Brighton station.
One wonders if the difference in the two outcomes is that members of the public lack the funds available to the business community for the provision of CCTV.
In an earlier letter, I described a resident forced to repaint her front entrance every three weeks or so. A few doors away, another elderly person admitting to feeling "suicidal" on occasions.
The lives of these people are made a misery by taggers. Any sympathy for these so-called "graffiti artists" is quite misplaced.
The decision of The Argus to publish photographs of offending "tags" and calling on the public to "Name The Tag", as David Blunkett suggests, is certainly a step in the right direction - but it is not enough.
Any dobbing in of taggers will probably need to come from fellow taggers. Expecting these people to dob in their confederates, by an appeal to their "social sense", is surely a non-starter.
However, if The Argus was to offer a reward - say £500 for every informant whose action leads to a successful prosecution - I suspect the police would be inundated with identifications.
-Dr Bob Potter, Hove
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article